Sharing Passion and Purpose

This mini episode shares a few things that I'm grateful for! I would have never seen starting Live Women's Events when I started the podcast, but I'm excited and grateful to continue them in 2025. Happy Thanksgiving! 

This episode is special to me because I am joined by my daughter (& intern), Mackenzie Moore. She is a senior at The University of Arkansas and graduates in December. To say that I am proud of her is an understatement! She's interesting, has an awesome work ethic, holds me accountable, is way more organized than me and and all-around great young woman! In this episode, we visit about her past summer internship in Panama (Yes, where the Panama Canal is located), and a little about her journey of self discovery and how she is prioritizing her mental health. 

In this episode, you’ll hear from Dr. Megan Weinkauf who is an Executive Leadership Coach and a Professor who is involved in some fascinating research looking at significance of purpose in life, neuroscience in leadership development, trauma-informed leadership practices, the power of mindset, and the conquering of fear. She easily explains her research in simple terms and WHY her current research will be beneficial and she also shares what she believes are characteristics that good leaders have. Enjoy this conversation!

Laura Blair, Founder of Blair Hollow Candle Co, shares the story about how her business, that started by accident, created an intentional product that some celebrities can’t get enough of.  You’ll also hear more about how her candles landed in the hands of those celebs! Laura’s luxe candles have grown in popularity, thanks in large part, to the non-toxic characteristics and thoughtfully sourced ingredients and components she uses to handmake every candle. Her artistic creations are truly that – artistic - from the fragrances to the vessel that holds the candle, you’ll be amazed with what goes into every single candle – including the science behind it all. We also slightly touch on her current career in the tech field, and she owns her own consulting business. As you will learn, she is multi-talented and currently positioning Blair Hollow Candle Co. to scale in growth to keep up (and exceed) the demand.

Check out Blair Hollow Candles online on Instagram: @blairhollowcandles

Sallie Dale, Founder of The Urban Acres, and mother of three - soon to be four - has always enjoyed exploring her creativity. In fact, she remembers sitting at the art table in elementary school and when her classmates rotated to other tables, she stayed, to continue her art project. Her creative talent continued to flourish and, years later, after she and her husband Andrew were married, she entered a contest for Mrs. Meyer’s Homemaker of the Year, and won, based, in large part, on her imaginative and innovative projects. She has been blogging about her DIY creations since 2014.

Now, she is inspiring a new generation of creators by bringing an old-school craft known as punch needle embroidery, up to date. If you’re wondering what punch needle art is, it’s a simpler form of embroidery and uses a large needle-like tool to punch loops of yarn into fabric stretched on a hoop. Sallie’s artfully created signature punch-needle patterns are available in her curated kits, making it easy to have everything you need to start, or continue, this hobby. Punch needle is an engaging activity for adults as well as kids in an activity that benefits fine-motor skills and lessons screen-time. During this visit, you’ll learn more about Sallie, her family and why she is encouraging people to reconnect to their creativity.

You can find Sallie online: TheUrbanAcres.com

And on Instagram: @theurbanacres

Luke Leifeste made an international name for himself working his way up from a student at NYU to Senior Entertainment Editor of well-known publications, GQ and Architectural Digest, working with everyone from prominent celebrities to pop-stars and public figures.  It was a life that he worked hard to achieve, but towards the end of his time for print conglomerate, Condé Nast, he struggled with feelings of unfulfillment before he made a life-changing decision to alter his life and career trajectory. During this visit, you'll find out from this Proud Tulsa Native what changed for him as he shares feelings and perspective on his life and professional achievements and his transition back to Tulsa. You'll also learn about the current projects he's working on.

You can find Luke online: LukeLeifeste.com

Jennie Miller is a creative entrepreneur who spent over 25 years in the corporate world before she turned her side hustle into a full time, dream job as the Founder of Graceful Blooms Flower Truck. She shares what makes her business unique and the umbrella of services she offers to her clients, including wedding planning. During our visit, you’ll also hear how she loves change and embraces it in her business. She also shares some advice and words of encouragement for those thinking about taking the entrepreneurial challenge, no matter what age you are!

With a background in business and executive coaching, Dr. Wendy Shirk is passionate about assisting others in maximizing their full potential. As she knows first-hand, it takes commitment to show up for yourself and do the work, but what's waiting for you on the other side can be a better, stronger version of yourself. During this episode, you'll learn more about Wendy's background as well as get to know her on a personal level as she opens up about her personal journey of healing from trauma she experienced during childhood as well the recent loss of her mother. And as a breast cancer survivor herself, she provides thoughts and insight during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Anyone who has suffered trauma and/or loss will be able to relate to her testament about the importance of seeking support and taking the proper time to grieve. In the end, you'll admire her tenacity of refusing to bury the hurt and take the proper steps to walk through the healing process. And as a coach herself, she is ready to walk alongside you in your journey to maximize yourself and your life.

Mother-of-four, Brittany Stokes, is the Co-Founder of Project Orphan and Tulsa Girls Home (TGH). What started as a desire to help young people abroad, through Project Orphan, has grown into a pursuit to assist kids, girls specifically, on a local level, by founding the Tulsa Girls Home. Surprisingly, this remarkable program, that helps girls aging out of foster care, didn’t exist prior to her efforts. Both impactful projects are near and dear to her heart as they serve as a resource that changes the narrative for these young kids. Now, locally, young women who are aging out of Foster Care have access to resources and a beautiful, safe place to live even after they age out of foster care. This interview shares more about Brittany’s background and journey in starting Tulsa Girls Home.

You can find Brittany online:

Instagram: @Brittanyraestokes

Also, click HERE for Project Orphans & HERE for Tulsa Girls Home

Special Thanks to my Sponsor of this Podcast:

I'd like to thank the sponsor of this podcast, Tania Bledsoe with State Farm Insurance. Tania is my insurance agent and I highly recommend her! She is knowledgeable about the industry and can be trusted to coach you on the level of insurance coverage you need.  She is passionate about helping people and families cover their biggest assets, including life, home and auto. Get a quote from Tania today. She’s located at 3307 S. Harvard Avenue. You can also reach out online at www.call-tania.com or call (918)600-2583.

Gina Conroy is connected to several passions, including as an author, teacher and a writing coach. She is also an empty-nester who had different plans for this phase of life but ended up becoming a caregiver to her mother; which she shares is now her purpose. During this visit, you'll hear how she has learned to navigate this new course with grace and provides encouragement to others who might be in the same season of life. She also shares insight into her new book coming out this fall!